for Teens Teens site Sitio para adolescentes KidsHealth / For Parents / A Parent's Guide to Surviving the Teen Years A Parent's Guide to Surviving the Teen Years en españolGuía para sobrevivir a la adolescencia de su hijo back-to-school blues. So why is the word "teenager" causing you so much When you consider that the teen years are a period of intense growth, Despite some adults' negative perceptions about teens, they are often parent and child, the teen years are also a time to help kids grow into Understanding the Teen Years So when does adolescence start? Everybody's different — there are early puberty and adolescence. Most of us think of puberty as the development the changes of adolescence. Many kids announce the onset of adolescence with a dramatic change in One of the common stereotypes of adolescence is the rebellious, wild teen continually at odds with mom and dad. Although it may be the case stereotype certainly is not representative of most teens. But the primary goal of the teen years is to achieve independence. To do this, teens must start pulling away from their parents — especially the parent whom they're the closest to. This can feel like teens are As teens mature, they start to think more abstractly and rationally. They're forming their moral code. And parents of teens may find that You may need to look closely at how much room you give your teen to be parent?," "Do I listen to my child?," and "Do I allow my teen's Tips for Parenting During the Teen Years Read books about teenagers. Think back on your own teen years. Remember chances of keeping them open through the teen years. Give your child your own adolescence. There's nothing like knowing that mom or dad went If teenagers want to dye their hair, paint their fingernails black, or wear funky clothes, think twice before you object. Teens want to shock Ask why your teen wants to dress or look a certain way and try to understand how your teen is feeling. You also might want to discuss how others might perceive them if they look different — help your teen Teens might act unhappy about the expectations their parents place on parents have appropriate expectations, teens will likely try to meet them. Without reasonable expectations, your teen may feel you don't Inform Your Teen — and Stay Informed Yourself The teen years often are a time of experimentation, and sometimes that family values with your teen and talk about what you believe is right environment for all teens in a peer group. Parents can help each other A certain amount of change is normal during the teen years. But too your teen's behavior or grades during this time, but your A/B student your teen become a young adult, you'll need to grant some privacy. If In other words, your teenager's room, texts, e-mails, and phone calls should be private. You also shouldn't expect your teen to share all reasons, you should always know where teens are going, when they'll be Start with trust. Tell your teen that you trust him or her, but if the Teens shouldn't have unlimited access to TV or the Internet in private Bedtime for a teenager should be age appropriate, just as it was when your child was a baby. Teens still need about 8-9 hours of sleep. Encourage your teen to stick to a sleep schedule that will meet those Reward your teen for being trustworthy. Has he or she kept to a 10 p.m. curfew on weekends? Move it to 10:30 p.m. And does a teen always have As kids progress through the teen years, you'll notice a slowing of the highs and lows of adolescence. And, eventually, they'll So remember the motto of many parents with teens: We're going through * (BUTTON) Teens * Sleep Problems in Teens * Helping Teens Learn to Drive * Helping Your Teen Decide What to Do After High School * Making Sure Your Teen's Job Is Safe * Rules of the Road for Teen Drivers * 10 Ways to Help Your Teen Succeed in High School * Screen Time Guidelines for Teens * Teens Talk About Family (Video)